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TZITZIT

Tzitzit are the tassels on the (four) corners of ones outer clothing, which a man should wear in accordance with Numbers 15:37-41 (also Deuteronomy 22:12). Looking at the white threads of the tassels is meant to remind the Jew of the 613 commandments of the Torah (the Five Books of Moses): “And it shall be...to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, so as to do them” (verse 39).

It is intructive that we read about this commandment in connection with the 12 spies, who were commanded by Moses to view the Land. Yet 10 spies looked at the Anakim, the giants, and were filled with fear. However, like the other two spies, the believer should look to God and His promises and not fall into unbelief because of fear of man.

So the tzitziot (plural) are a reminder. Through every outward danger, the Jew should be reminded of the “mighty hand” and presence of God.

The heart is prompted to yearn for something by what the eye perceives. Then the body takes these yearnings into action, whether for good or for evil. This is why the commandment regarding the tzitzit continues: “… and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot” (verse 39).
The Jewish prayer shawl, tallit, is regarded as the larger tzitzit. Its stripes symbolize the throne of God in heaven, according to the sages. It is, therefore, not surprising that Yeshua (Jesus) wore a prayer shawl of this kind with tassels, as did all the Jews who believed in Jesus at that time. When the woman with the flow of blood touched the hem (Greek: kraspedon; Hebrew: tzitziot) of His garment (Matthew 9:20), power went out of Him and she was healed. Many others were healed in the same way (Matthew 14:36).

The tassels on the prayer shawl – tzitzit - , (m-90, h-10, m-90, h-10, ,-400 = 600) consist of 8 threads and 5 knots each time, which adds up to 613 (600+8+5). This is the number of commandments in the Torah.